A transit study will take a regional approach in trying to identify a solution to unsnarl Tampa Bay’s traffic congestion, and, qualify for federal aid.
Jacob Engineering will conduct the 24-month study for Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties. The approximately $1.5 million cost will be paid for by the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority, commonly called HART and the Florida Department of Transportation, called FDOT for short.
(File Photo)
Consultants are expected to begin work on Oct. 1, following expected approval of the contract by HART on Sept. 12.
Commuter rail, light rail, bus rapid transit service and express bus service will be among transit alternatives reviewed in the study.
“Tampa Bay is one of the very few large regional areas that does not have premier transit service to connect its region,” said Steve Feigenbaum, HART’S director of service development. “This is a truly regional study, a three-county study, for transit options for our region.”
Feigenbaum made a presentation on the study to members of the Pasco Metropolitan Planning Organization’s board on Sept. 8 in Dade City.
About 50 percent of Pasco residents commute to jobs outside the county, he said. “Where are their transit options?”
In the past year, Pasco residents have been asked their views on a range of transportation issues, most often focused on traffic congestion in high growth areas such as State Road 54 and State Road 56.
A slew of road projects are under construction or under review to reconfigure or widen roads and highways throughout the county.
Commuters heading south on Interstate 275 daily confront road lanes jammed with motorists trying to get to work.
Recently, FDOT held public meetings to gain support for the Tampa Bay Express, a controversial road project to widen portions of I-275 and Interstate 4.
Only limited bus transit links Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties.
Feigenbaum said the study will recommend a single project that is doable, links all three counties and would qualify for funding from the Federal Transit Administration, an agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation. Other options will be included in the study, along with reasons why they didn’t make the final cut.
Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano wondered about the feasibility of purchasing CSX rail lines for future passenger rail service.
The Land O’ Lakes area often is mentioned as an area where rail stops would boost local commercial and residential development. The area includes CSX rail lines crossing through the intersection of U.S. 41 and State Road 54.
But, Feigenbaum cautioned against thinking that the study would focus on CSX.
“It’s not a CSX study,” he said. “That will be a component of it.”
The cost of buying the rail lines would only be a starting point, he said.
The rail lines were built for freight and would have to be upgraded to handle passenger service. “There’s still going to have to be some consideration of construction and cost. It’s an important component, but it will be included with everything else.”
Feigenbaum said the FTA looks to fund projects that boost economic development and show a return on investment.
“Without those particular elements, it becomes just another shelf piece,” he said. “Some (prior) studies have so much dust, they are growing corn. But, that’s another story.”
Initially, consultants will look at those previous studies, whether they produced transit projects or not, and compile them into a unified, coherent report.
“We don’t want to invent the wheel,” Feigenbaum said.
There also will be public outreach with town halls, telephone town halls and other events to gather community opinions.
Once the initial study is completed, environmental and design work will be done before an application can be submitted to the federal transit agency.
It could take up to five years to qualify for a fully funded grant, Feigenbaum said. “It’s an arduous process.”
Published September 14, 2016
